U-18 U.S. MNT to Compete in Copa del Atlantico

Fresh off of a winning Aegean Cup effort by the U17’s, the U.S. MNT U18 team heads to Las Palmas, Spain to contest the Copa del Atlantico. Coach Javier Perez has called in an 18 man panel for the challenging tournament that will have the Americans going up against Spain, Argentina and the Canary Island’s in this four team event.

The youth squad will be tested in this tournament. (ISI Photos/John Dorton)

The tournament should be quite a challenge for a United States team that will be one of the youngest competing in the tournament. Perez has selected a roster made up of players born in 1996 and 97, to represent the U.S., who are competing in the Copa del Atlantico for the first time.

The U.S. open play on February 4 against Spain, who have won this event seven years running. The following day the Americans face Argentina, before finishing up on the sixth versus the Canary Islands.

The Yanks are coming off of a just completed camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and a solid showing last October in a tournament in Limoges, France. The U.S. went undefeated in France, finishing just behind the home team, while winning two games and tying one.

Erik Palmer-Brown is definitely a prospect for the future.

14 players from that roster have been called up for the Copa del Atlantico, which runs from January 30 – February 8. Included in the U.S. group is Erik Palmer-Brown, a 16 year old defender so valued by his club, Sporting Kansas City, that they turned down a $1 million transfer offer from Italian giants Juventus.

Midfielder Emerson Hyndman, grandson of recently dismissed Dallas FC coach Schellas, is another player to watch. The 16 year old recently made his debut for the U21 side at his club, Fulham.